North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick greeted Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney with a firm handshake, then immediately pulled away before Swinney could get in closer to whisper something into Belichick's ear following Saturday's contest. The awkward handshake came immediately after North Carolina blew a 17-3 lead in the first half to eventually lose 28-20 following a lightning delay. Belichick apparently had no time to waste listening to Swinney after Clemson knocked UNC to 2-1 in Week 1.
On Tuesday, reporters asked Swinney about the incident. The Tigers head coach laughed when he asked if that was the shortest handshake he had ever been a part of postgame. "I've had some where I'm not even sure I've had a handshake," Swinney said laughing before defending Belichick, via video from ClemsonTigerNet.
I mean, he's Bill Belichick. I've been on both sides of it. You got fans on the field.
That's not really normal for him. I don't know how many places he's been... this guy's been coaching a long time." More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Swinney noted that Belichick might have been thrown off by random fans wondering onto the field, something that the former New England Patriots head coach would have never had to deal with the NFL. He didn't take any offense to Belichick's actions.
"And then I was way over on the other side, kind of coming at him," Swinney said. "But coach Belichick's great, man... it was just kind of a drive-by moment... I mean, the game went for 22 hours." The loss certainly caused frustrations for Belichick and North Carolina, who had a chance to start the season 3-0 amid negative headlines surrounding the program after Steve Belichick resigned as defensive coordinator and Michael Lombardi resigned as general manager.
North Carolina is on a bye in Week 4. The Tigers have a short week before playing California on Friday night. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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